Friday 30 August 2013

Vickers 6-ton Trials

If you have read the history of the T-26, you know that the tank takes its roots from the British Vickers 6-ton tank. This tank was not in demand by British tank forces, due to their mind-boggling doctrine, but was an excellent tank for its time, and widely used abroad. Here are the results of trials the USSR put it through:

"Trials happened between November 27th, 1930, and January 5th, 1931.
  1. Maximum speed:
    1. Good road: 35.2 kph.
    2. Dirt road, covered in packed snow: 30-35 kph.
    3. Off-road, covered in snow, in places up to 400 mm deep: 19-20 kph.
  2. Average speed:
    1. Asphalt or dirt roads, covered in packed snow: 27.6 kph.
    2. In a column of 3: 20.2 kph.
    3. Off road, covered in snow, up to 400 mm deep:
      1. One tank: 18 kph.
      2. Three tanks in a column: 12.5 kph.
  3. Range: Asphalt or dirt road covered in packed snow: 110-130 km.
  4. Capable of crossing five rows of two-strand barbed wire, forming a passage 3.5-5 meters wide.
  5. Shooting results: Shots were fired from the machine gun, using the optical sight, at a target 3*3 meters, at 250 meters, while moving off-road in the snow. It should be noted that shots from 18-20 kph are not indicative of the performance, due to insufficient training of the tank commander and platoon commander, as this is the first time there were shooting at a high speed. There was also no synchronization between the crew, the driver did not properly execute orders of the turret commanders. The shooting was also affected by temperature of -17 degrees.
    1. At 5-6 kph: out of 40 bullets fired, 32% hit.
    2. At 10-12 kph: out of 40 bullets fired, 30% hit.
    3. At 18-20 kph: out of 40 bullets fired, 12% hit.
  6. Conclusions:
    1. This type of tank stands out in its class for use in mechanized units.
    2. High mobility, maneuverability, agility, and other qualities are satisfactory for a light tank in mechanized units.
    3. These characteristics are accomplished by poor passive protection: armour.
    4. The configuration of the tank is accomplished by reducing convenience while servicing the motor.
    5. Shot accuracy while moving is notably high.
    6. The hull shape gives the enemy a small target.
    7. In the event of engine failure: torn gasket, torn exhaust valve, need of re-lubrication, etc. require the engine to be removed completely. In order to remove the engine, all armoured plates are removed from the inside of the tank."
RGVA, 31811-2-18

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